Beachgrad05

Im actually planning on it this Sunday! Lisa and her partner are supposed to do with me. Last time she had to cancel so will see if it ends up a go. I prefer not to do solo for reasons such as you found out with this crash. Cell service is spotty up there. Tho I would hope someone would help me.

TankSlapper

Wow. Unbelievable dude wouldn't stop to help. Championship A-hole right there....

A few years back, I wanted to go for a MTB ride, my buddy bailed out on me so I went solo (first and only time). Endo'ed on a rocky downhill and broke my forearm.

As I sat there collecting my wits, a couple riders passed by and asked if I was OK. For some reason, I said yea, sure, I'm fine (when I knew I really wasn't). In shock or too proud to fess up I guess.

It was my right arm (so I had front brake only) and I was on a steep downhill so my attempt to ride out wasn't very successful. I walked it to the bottom of the hill and rode out from there.

I learned my lesson about riding solo on the MTB.

On the other hand, pretty much all my road bike rides are solo these days. There is always plenty of people around and I feel like there is a lot less risk of a crash.

Hope you heal up soon.

cdp8

Wow, that is awful, Pam. I'm so sorry to hear about this. I rode Raptor/Faultline to Upper Aliso on Saturday and thought about taking Sidewinder to Bane but passed because I was so gassed from Diemer/Southridge on the way in. I wish I hadn't passed on it now. It is so shocking that someone would leave you there. I suppose if this a-hole had come across Aron Ralston he would have said, "What can I do, I can't lift that boulder."

I ride CHSP solo all the time and something like this happening is always in the back of my mind because there are so many places in that park that have no signal. But if I only rode with other people, I'd only get out a couple of times a year.

Leo90604

Heal up, speedy recovery and hope you are back sooner than you thought.

SClaraPokeman

Unbelievable that someone would be so callous not to rush for assistance--however much it interrupted his all important ride. What a barbarian. I remember at one time seeing a "I'd walk over you to see The Who!" t-shirt. This guy s/h/b wearing one.

Pamestique 

Saw the ortho yesterday... the leg break is no big deal... the Maissoneuve or high ankle fracture (basically all the tendons/ligaments at the ankle are torn leaving the tibia/fibula not connected) is and surgery is scheduled for next Thursday... likely no riding for at least 4 - 6 months. No weight bearing on ankle for at least 3 months... I will have to use a wheelchair or knee scooter...

Beachgrad... should have gone done a road ride... looks like it may be awhile before i ever get to do GMR!

TrojanHorse

If you want my knee scooter just ask. I may have to yank the hello kitty bell for sentimental reasons. I bought it for my ankle surgery 2 years ago... so much better than crutches. Zooming around places like Home Depot or Costco (anywhere with massive, flat, concrete floors) was pretty awesome too.

Pamestique 

If you want to sell it let me know... I actually plan Monday on going over to a medical supply company in order to pick up a knee walker and a wheelchair...

Garfield Cat

That same rider will do the ride again and again. Riders are a creature of habit. If Pam can identify him, that would be a plus.

Garfield Cat

Too many people use Social Media to stage some kind of "bullying". Don't let that happen.

mjh365

I'm glad you're on the road to recovery. I can't imagine the thought process of someone that thinks so little of a fellow rider. Hang in there and I hope your recovery goes smoothly and quickly.

Pamestique 

AN UPDATE:

So checked in at St. Jos. Pavilion Surgery at 11:30a. Got taken back and prepped by 12p and then had to lay and wait for the surgeon and anesthesiologist until just about 2p. Had to use the bathroom and thankfully was able to carry the IV's in with me. I remember someone taking the gurney out of the prep room and that's it. Next thing, I opened my eyes to very bright lights, noise and a clock which said 3:45pm. Woke up very groggy. I don't do well with drugs; one reason why I never used them; they affect me poorly. Had a hard time coming out of the sleep. Just before 4 the nurse brought in my friends. his family. Wasn't much company as I was just trying to hold my stomach and head together.

My leg was achy but not too bad. The IV however was killing me and I knew it wasn't coming out until I could go home. The nurse kept asking me if I was able to leave (like she was shooing me out) but I was worried my stomach would get so upset so stayed until about 6 - 6:30. My friends came home with me to help me settle in and get situation but then I shoo'd them out. I so just needed to fall asleep and let the drugs wear off.

Today, just going to lay around and do nothing. My big effort will be the shower (which I need) and the fact can't get my leg wet. But that's all I have planned for today so if it takes me 3 hours, oh well.

So photos attached. The first shows the ankle pre-surgery. You can see the Tibia pushed away from the ankle and the fibula drawn in laying on the ankle. In the post op photo everything is aligned.

So I believe the plan is: In the soft cast 10 days, then a fiberglass cast for 6 weeks. If everything is progressing well, I might be able to use a walking boot for a short period of time. Dr. seem to indicate after about 3 months I will be walking OK but I may have misunderstood that. I'll get further information when I return May 13 to have the cast put on. BTW; doctor is totally unconcerned about the break of the fibula under the knee. If only that they would have prescribed a walking boot assuming full recovery in 6 weeks. Darn that ankle!!!!

TrojanHorse

Looks like your drywall screws are poking out the other side of your leg - are they going to remove those or are they in forever?

Post surgery recovery humor: The doctor always comes in and tells you what to do during recovery... take these pills, do this, don't do that, but you're still half-baked on anesthesia and pain killers. Like I can remember anything more complex than my name at that point anyway!

Good luck with your recovery. Hopefully you got one of those shower chairs, makes bathing with a casted foot much easier.

Genaro

Tough as nails! Hoping for a speedy recovery!

Pamestique 

Made me laugh... after surgery, in recovery, I was doing poorly. I am one of those people that takes hours to come out of anesthetic and I was so groggy and so nauseated when the nurse started giving me post op instructions; I was just trying not to throw up... thank goodness Kathy and Richard were there listening; they had to tell me afterwards. I heard nothing!

And the shower bench... BEST THING EVER! Have been using that since the beginning since I could not put weight on my leg. Just gives me the stability I need. Right now I duct tape a plastic bag around the cast and I can then use the bench to either sit or support my leg. For anyone, I would recommend getting a bench if you have any stability issues.

Those screws... they come out in 3 months. I can already feel them cutting into the skin - ugh! On the 13th, this surgery cast comes off and a fiberglass cast will be put on. I will get to see the screws then. I am just hoping and praying when they remove the screws, I don't have to go under the drugs again; I dread that process the most.

Anyway settling into a routine. Doing little things around the house; the shower is always a big deal. Did too much the first day post op and my leg got swollen and I was miserable. So now just taking it easy as boring and tough as that is to do. I have watched alot of TV - ugh!!! Hate watching TV... and yes also catching up on some reading and trying to do some real work in order to keep my employer happy.

CliffordK

Just feel lucky that you didn't meet me up in the mountains.

No doubt you would have been MacGyverized to the point where you would have wished I had just passed you by!!!

spdntrxi

time to search strava segments around the date and time... you could probably track down the fool who left you.

CliffordK

And what's the point?

The OP survived... Perhaps some pain and hardship could have been alleviated the first day, but it isn't clear that there was any lasting damage from walking out of the mountains.

spdntrxi

^ to give him kudos of course.

Pamestique 

The man has to live with himself.... so why he left is not my business or concern... but a lesson for me... I know who my friends are and they stepped up in all sorts of ways. I am very blessed. I learned one cannot rely on strangers so going forward, I will be much more pro-active myself and not find myself int he same situation. I have no one to blame but myself... I took a risk and the risk bit me back. I know I have the skills and fortitude to get myself to safety although, next time, it may not be enough so no more next time. Every injury changes how I ride... sad but true but I rather curtail my adventures in order to to avoid injury and stay safe. Lessons for us all...

mwandaw

When my wife broke her arm we learned that you can also buy something like a GIANT condom that you put over your arm or leg while bathing. She thought it worked better than a trash bag and tape. YMMV

Heal quickly!

Pamestique 

Saw that online... will go and order one...

rms13

What fellow human being would not help another? Bike or no bike involved, if you see someone that is seriously injured you have a moral obligation to at least call for help. I think it sucks when someone has a flat and cyclists wiz by without even asking if they need help but this person is a disgusting human being. Karma...

lesiz

If you would recognize the creep if you see him again I would take a picture or buddy up to him to get personal info. Then post to social media including this site. The creep needs to be publicized.

Jed19

That would be an invasion of privacy. The creep (and probably most people in his life) knows he is an horrible person. I was going to say this creep would have to live with himself for this unbelievable action of his re Pamestique, but in all likelihood, he already realized he is a horrible excuse for a human being a very long time ago.